Springfield braces for new sales and natural gas tax

Springfield braces for new sales and natural gas tax

The deadline to pass a city budget is March 1. With less than two weeks to go, Mayor Langfelder and the rest of the city council are in a difficult position. According to the Mayor, the city is facing the first revenue decline in 30 years. This is due to a number of factors, many of which stem from the two year state budget impasse. Regardless of the cause, the City needs more revenue to pass a budget.

The first proposal to balance the budget was a quarter of a percent (0.25%) sales tax increase, raising the city’s tax from 8.5 percent to 8.75 percent. This would be an almost three percent increase to the rate. Sales taxes, like any tax, are naturally unpopular. But sales taxes are particularly regressive (meaning they impact the poor more than the rich), and so carry additional political problems.

However, the more pressing problem with the proposed increase is that the quarter percent increase would not fill the budget hole. In an email to the aldermen, Langfelder said that because there is “minimal or zero desire to cut services,” additional funding would need to be found. To fill the gap, he proposed a Natural Gas Tax ordinance. The tax would be set at four percent. This move would also address the “need to diversify the city’s revenue sources.”

The next Springfield City Council meeting is set for this Tuesday, February 20, at 5:30 PM. Meeting are held at on the third floor of the municipal center, located at 7th and Monroe. If you wish to address the council, you must file your request by Monday at 5:30. Information about how to do so can be found on the city’s website.

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Morgan County League of Women of Voters hold candidate forum in Jacksonville

Nearly all candidates in contested races in Morgan County came out to attend one of the last forums before the March 20th primary. They answered questions in a packed Jacksonville City Council chamber. Over 50 people were in attendance.

Of the nine candidates invited, only Rep. Darin LaHood was unable to attend. He is currently serving in Washington. The candidates who could make it included:

Donald Rients, a Republican running in the 18th Congressional District

Darrel Miller, a Democrat running in the 18th

Brian Deters, a Democrat running in the 18th

Junius Rodriguez, a Democrat running in the 18th

Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, a Republican running in the 100th Illinois House District

Jonas Petty, a Republican running in the 100th Illinois House District

Chris “CJ” Johnson, a Republican running for Morgan County Sheriff

Mike Carmody, a Republican running for Morgan County Sheriff

There were few surprises from any of the candidates on any of the questions. However there were some. Both Miller and Deters expressed pro-life sentiments for their personal views; but were pro-choice from a policy standpoint. On the same question about the sanctity of life, Petty said we need to get the root of the abortion issue, and supported better economic opportunities and sex education to reduce abortions.

Both Sheriff candidates also expressed concerns about body cameras. While they saw the utility, they spoke about how unclear the law is at this point. This includes protecting suspects’ and other individuals’ fourth and fifth amendment rights. Additionally, storing the footage and providing Freedom of Information Act access for the footage is far more expensive than the cameras themselves. But throughout the evening, both said their job was to enforce and follow the law, not to make policy.

All of the candidates opposed a mandate on arming teachers. Rients and Petty were open to the option, and Miller said it was a local issue, not a federal one. Johnson warned about the change of mindset that comes with carrying a firearm and distractions that would cause teachers. Carmody opposed a mandate, but said he would enforce it if it was a law.

Jacksonville City Council discusses boats, fireworks, and budget

The Jacksonville City Council covered a wide range of topics at their last meeting. Most importantly, they approved the 2018 operating budget, and the ordinance for corporate appropriations. The public hearing for the appropriations ordinance did not receive any public comment.

However, there were several other issues that generated a large amount of discussion. There were calls to put some preliminary restrictions on the size of boats on Lake Jacksonville. The lake suffers from a large amount of erosion each year. In a good year it might lose three feet of shoreline, but in a bad year it might lose as much as eleven feet. Large and fast boats have been blamed for much of the erosion. To help protect the shores, a ban on boats larger than 28 feet (excluding pontoons) was proposed. Similarly sized lakes in the region have restrictions on boat sizes and horsepower.

While there was agreement protecting the shores is important, there was disagreement about the proposed size limit. Boats larger than 28 feet are rare on the lake. Because of this, some of the aldermen questioned the decision to pin the blame on these craft. Horsepower limits were seen as more appropriate for the goal of limiting wake. However, a horsepower limit may negatively impact bass fishing tournaments, as bass boats typically have high horsepower.

Back on land, the speedway has petitioned the city for permission to put on small pyrotechnic displays. These displays would be small and pose no risk to the surrounding communities. The council was not opposed to the idea, but still needs to draft an ordinance for discussion.

The council also had a lengthy discussion about whether or not to place a stop sign at the corner of Michigan and Hardin. South Jacksonville is in favor of the sign. Despite the high traffic in the area, there was only one accident in the last year. One stated goal of the stop sign is to control speed along the road. Alderman Warmowski countered this claim, citing the IDOT handbook which states stop signs should not be placed solely to try to control motorists’ speed. Other aldermen were concerned about possible noise from the large number of trucks that use the road as well.